Suspect arrested for burglary at Earle Brown Terrace

Brooklyn Center police have arrested a suspect allegedly responsible for several burglaries during the past two months at the Earle Brown Terrace assisted living in Brooklyn Center.

Shawnyell Denelle Younger, 26 of Minneapolis, was arrested at the facility Nov. 2 after a resident found the woman in her apartment, according to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County.

The victim reported Younger startled her in the apartment when she walked in and then tried to flee the scene, according to the complaint.

Brooklyn Center Police Cmdr. Tim Gannon said Younger was dressed in scrubs, similar to what a doctor or care provider would wear, to go unnoticed in the hallways at Earle Brown Terrace and entered residents’ unoccupied apartments.

Staff of Earle Brown Terrace had several reports of items stolen from residents during the past two months and even suspected an employee could have been involved with the burglaries until Younger was arrested, according to a crime alert from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Gannon said several officers responded to the Nov. 2 report from Earle Brown Terrace to ensure the suspect did not escape.

Officers found Younger hiding in the building after securing all the exits, he said. “Our response was pretty quick.”

Gannon said Younger might be involved in the other burglaries. There was an additional burglary report at Earle Brown Terrace on Nov. 1 and two others on Nov. 2.

The criminal complaint states Younger confessed to the burglary on Nov. 2. She had cash, a cell phone and other stolen items in her pockets.

She is charged with one count of felony first-degree burglary and, if convicted, faces a penalty of six months to 20 years in jail and/or a $35,000 fine.

Younger is in custody at Hennepin County Jail with $60,000 bail and will appear in court on Tuesday, Dec. 4.